Malaysia remains China's largest trading partner in Asean

BUTTERWORTH, May 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been China's largest Asean trading partner for six consecutive years since 2008, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The prime minister said Malaysia is also China's third biggest Asian trading partner after Japan and South Korea.

"Investment in each other's countries shows the long-term commitment to this relationship, and in doing so we are building in a long history.

"In recent years, for instance, we have seen the establishment of the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park and the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park.

"These flagship projects are just two examples of the business cooperation between our two countries. There are many others, such as the various Chinese property companies that are investing in the Iskandar Malaysia development corridor in Johor," he said at the launch of Jinko Technology Sdn Bhd here today.

His text of speech was read by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong.

Najib said trade between Malaysia and China hit a historic high of US$106 billion (US$1 = RM3.61) last year and total approved foreign direct investment from China in the manufacturing sector in Malaysia totalled to RM4.8 billion in 2014.

On solar energy, he said China, the US and Japan were currently the three main demand countries for solar energy power, while potentials were also seen in other regions, not least in Southeast Asia.

"Internationally, development of solar energy could have benefited from greater cooperation, but this should not stand in the way of the rise of renewable energy sources.

Meanwhile, Jinko Solar chief executive officer Kangping Chen said the newly completed plant in Malaysia was the largest overseas investment for Jinko Solar after Portugal and South Africa.

He said with an overall investment of nearly US$100 million, it focuses on the production of 500MW solar cells and 450MW solar modules.

The company's production lines are fully automated with world class equipment that could reach an efficiency rate of 18.5 per cent high efficient polycrystalline, he said.

"I believe that with the abundance resources and Malaysia's strategic geographic location, combines with our global experience and strength in the field of photovoltaic manufacturing, it will help Jinko Solar delivers greater efficiency, and more reliable photovoltaic products and services to the world market.